BOULDER — That seemingly seamless move by Colorado freshman D.D. Goodson from running back to defensive back at midseason didn’t surprise anyone back in Rosenberg, Texas. After his senior season in high school, Goodson was voted the district’s “utility player of the year.”

Last fall, at Lamar Consolidated High School, Goodson started the season at wide receiver, moved to running back and played safety the entire time.

“He just wants to play football. It doesn’t matter what role he’s given,” said Ronald Patton, the football coach at Lamar High, which is near Houston. “D.D. is a football player, just like his brothers.”

Goodson grew up in a single-parent household, run by his mother. Three older brothers made sure he kept on the straight and narrow.

There wasn’t any doubt that Goodson would follow in their fleet footsteps and play football. D.D. is the second of the brothers to play at the college level. Jeramy Goodson was a receiver and running back at Rice.

“When you get into athletics, you don’t do other things, things that can get people in trouble,” said Jeramy, who works in the health care industry.

Though small at 5-foot-7 and 165 pounds, D.D. could always rely on his speed. Football becomes easier when you can run past everybody. Playing Pop Warner youth football at age 10, Goodson did just that.

“Back then, they’d toss it to me on a sweep,” he said. “I’d just use my quickness.”

Goodson played mostly receiver in high school, catching 25 balls as a sophomore and 40 for 700 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior. The latter earned him all-district honors, which means something in Texas. He also played in the defensive secondary during that time but really showed his versatility as a senior. Goodson began the year at wideout but after five games, his team needed a spark in the running game.

“We moved D.D. over and he never complained,” Lamar Consolidated’s Patton said. “Not only that, he played like he’d been a running back for years. That’s the kind of kid he is.”

Goodson did everything as a senior but mow the field. His numbers included 30 catches for 500 yards, 370 yards rushing, a 35-yard average on kickoff returns. And full-time duty at safety.

“He just loves the game, like his brothers,” Jeramy Goodson said. “Of course, football is king in Texas. Even if you don’t see yourself playing football in the future, you do it because your buddies are playing football. Then you find out you like it and try to get better at it.

“D.D. is a very smart kid (National Honor Society member in high school with a 3.67 grade-point average), so he was able to pick it up quickly, no matter what situation they put him in.”

About the only thing that befuddled Goodson was the recruiting process. He was all but left out. Until CU’s new coaching staff discovered Goodson late in the recruiting process, the only school that had offered a scholarship was Texas State (formerly Southwest Texas State), which is in the process of stepping up to the FBS major-college level as it prepares to join the Western Athletic Conference.

“There was a lot of frustration, but I just tried to keep positive about it,” Goodson said.

Four months after national signing day, Goodson became the final high school recruit in head coach Jon Embree’s first class, signing with the Buffs as a running back June 8.

“Coach (Eric) Bieniemy came down and I guess liked what he saw,” Goodson said. “He said he liked my work ethic and that I was a responsible young guy. And (with Bieniemy being 5-8 himself), he doesn’t worry about height.”

Goodson arrived at CU for August camp and, despite his lack of size, he impressed coaches with his willingness to run between the tackles. The plan was to redshirt Goodson — that is, until the Buffs lost several defensive backs to injury or suspension. Before the eighth game, against Oregon, Goodson was given an “audition” of four snaps on defense during a 7-on-7 drill during Tuesday’s practice.

After coaches reviewed the practice film, they moved Goodson to defense full time the next day.

Incredibly, he had only two full practices on that side before being named the starter at nickel back against an Oregon offense that ranks among the nation’s most explosive. He responded by making four tackles against the Ducks before getting injured.

Colorado defensive coordinator Greg Brown recalled telling Goodson during the practice audition that his redshirt would not be pulled unless he could really help the team.

“And then I told him, ‘Not only that, we want to start you against Oregon,’ ” Brown added. “Without hesitation, he said: ‘OK. I’m in.’

“D.D. has body control, and he competes. He likes defense. And we like him.”

Goodson also started the Southern California game and could play a significant role Saturday against UCLA at the Rose Bowl, especially if sophomore Parker Orms (hamstring) is out.

Four assistant basketball coaches at Division I schools and a top Adidas executive were among 10 people charged Tuesday with crimes including bribery and fraud as part of a wide-ranging federal investigation into corruption in college basketball.

CenturyLink, the telecommunications company that ended its sponsorship agreement with Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall because of his protests during the national anthem last year, said it will not terminate its agreement with current client Emmanuel Sanders.